kepler 22-B

A newly discovered planet is eerily similar to Earth and
is sitting outside our solar system in what seems to be the ideal place
for life, except for one hitch. It's a bit too big.

The planet is smack in the middle of what astronomers call the
Goldilocks zone, that hard to find place that's not too hot, not too
cold, where water, which is essential for life, doesn't freeze or boil.
And it has a shopping mall-like surface temperature of near 72 degrees,
scientists say.

The planet's confirmation was announced Monday by NASA along with other
discoveries by its Kepler telescope, which was launched on a
planet-hunting mission in 2009.

That's the first planet confirmed in the habitable zone for Kepler,
which had already found Earth-like rocky planets elsewhere. Twice before
astronomers have announced a planet found in that zone, but neither have been as promising.

Oh how I love when such discoveries are made. I was so excited to read about this in the news the other day - I do hope we'll get to know know about this planet soon. I love the possibility of life being elsewhere in the universe.